Hydraulic propelling apparatus for boats



Jan. 20, 1942- u s. v. sHANNA|-VIAN I 2,270,690 A HYDRAULIC PROPELLING APPARATUS FOR BOATS Filed April 4, 1941 2 Shee'cs--Shee'fI 1 INVENTOR WITNESS ATTORNEYS zg/Mr v Jan. 20, 1942.` s. v. sHANNAHAN HYDRAULIC PROPELLING APPARATUS FOR BOATS Filed April 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO R N EYS Y length and width thereof.

Patented Jan. .20, 1942 UNITED STATES' PATEN T- OFFICE HYDRAULIC PROPELLING APPARATUS YFOR BoA'rs f Y Samuel p V. Shannahan, Baltimore, Md. Application April 4,1941, serial No. 386,897'

6 Claims.

This invention relates to hydraulic propelling apparatusfor boats, and its general object is to provide apparatus that includes main water conveying means extending longitudinally of and within the hull of a vessel and opening through that niy apparatus is capable o f propelling a vessel forwardly, rearwardly or laterally, as well as will bring about turning of the vessel in an area slightly greater than the length thereof.

A further object is to provide hydraulic pro-V pelling apparatus that not only makes it possible to maneuver a vessel, regardless of the size thereof, with' more accuracy and less effort than with the screw propelling means and rudder of vessels now in general use, but the apparatus also brings about greater speed, with safety, economy and less vibration.

Another object is to provide hydraulic propelling apparatus that includes dual sets of'elements, which vcan be'operated simultaneously or individually, therefore if any part or parts of one set should become damaged or inoperative for d Vany reason, the other set can be used without inl terferenc from the damaged set and without 'effecting the steering of the vess A still further object is to provide an apparatus of the character set forth', that can be used for pumping Water from the holdof the vessel or from any compartment provided by the bulkheads, thereby eliminating the usual bilge or emergency pumps andpreventing flooding of the hold in the event of leakage brought about by damage tothe hull. c

Another object is to provide hydraulic propelling apparatus in which the conveying means or con- `duits are protected or screened against'becoming clogged with' debris, thus assuring freepassage of water therethrough at all times, when the apparatus is in operation. l

A further object is to provide hydraulic propeiling apparatus in which the conduits are xed to the hull and bulkheads for cooperation with the latter and suitable reinforcing means to strengthenand reinforce the hull throughout the A` still further object is to provide hydraulic in like characters'denote likeor corresponding f grating therein, Y v l. n y l l Figure 5 is a'sectionalview taken-approximate# 4, looking in the direc,r

i tion of the arrows.

`and in section.

propelling apparatus thatis simple ink construe-- tion, inexpensive tomanufacture, easy to install on vessels of various types-and designs and is extreinely` eii'icient in operation, use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of constructionlrandin the combination and arrangement of vthe several parts,to be here-,f

inafter fully described, illustrated inthe accom#y panying drawings and speciiically pointed outinv the appended claims.l

In describing the invention in detail, reference i will be had to'th'e accompanying` drawings whereparts throughout the several views, and in which:y

Figure 1 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional' view taken tlrough the hull of a vessel having my apparatus installed therein and illustrates the apparatus in top plan,'with' parts broken away Figu're 21s a verticallongitudinal sectional view with parts broken. awayand in side-elevation.

Figure 3 is a view looking toward the bow of the vessel with th'e form of Figures 1 and 2installed therein.

Figure 4 is a. fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken through one of the main conduits and illustrates one ofthe `debris screens yor ly on line 5-5 offFigure Figure 6 is a sectionalview `taken approximately on line 6-6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction ofthe arrows. v

Figure 7 is a viewvlooking toward the bow yof the vessel and illustrates the inlet section of a modied form that includes only a single longitudinal conduit. l n d V Referring to the Ydrawings in detail, theletter A indicates the hull of a vessel, and B the bulkheads that divide the hullinto separate compartments. While I have illustrated my apparatus `as being installed on a vessel of the type shown, itf will be understood that it can be used on any type and design. l y f The preferred formof apparatus as shown in Figures land 2, includes a pairof main conduits,

` that extend longitudinally of theY hull throughout its length, an equal distance upon opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, and each conduit is made up of a funnel shaped inlet section I,vv

and the lateral conduits and 6 are connectedl to the intermediate sections by four-way couplings 9 that likewise connect the outermost intermediate sections with the adjacent intermediate sections, as clearly shown in Figure 1. Valves Ill and II are connected to the four-way couplings for controlling the passage of water through the conduits 5 and 6. The rear lateral conduits' 1 u and 8 are connected to the discharge sections 3 by three-way couplings I2 and valves I3 and I4 control the passage of water through the conduits 1 and8.

Valves I5 and I6 are' provided between the inlet sections I and the outermost intermediate sections 2 for controlling the main conduits at thebow of the vessel, while valves I1 and I8 are provided between the three-waycouplings I2 andthe innermost outlet sections 4 for controlling the main conduits at the stern of the vessel.

The main conduits communicate with each other both fore-and-aft vand intermediate their ends. 9 have connected thereto for disposal between the same, a four-way coupling I9 that has a valve connected thereto and toone-of the four-way couplings 9. Inwardly directed coupling elements 2I- are formed on the innermost sections 2 and have connected thereto, a five-way pipe or coupling element 22, and a valve 23 is disposed betweenone'of the coupling elements 2I- and the adjacent section 2. Inwardly directed coupling elements 24 are, formed on the innermost outlet sections 4 which as shown are in the form of fourway couplings, and a valve 25 is connected to the inner ends of the coupling elements 24. By that construction, it will be obvious that water can be passed from one main conduit to the other, and

. the passagethereof is`contr`olled by the valves 20, ':23 and 25.

1 Theinnermost intrmediate'sections 2 and the discharge sections 3 are connected to pumping units 26 of any suitable reversible rotary type and are driven by motors 21, therefore it will be seen that a pumping unit is provided for each longitudinal or main conduit and a motor is provided for each pumping unit. It will be further noted .that the discharge sections 3 and outlet sections For that purpose-the four-way couplings 4 are of a. greater diameter than that of the interv mediate sections 2, and that all the sections are shown as being of oval shape in cross section.

Suitable bracing means are provided for the conduits, and I have illustrated tubular members 28 Vsecured to'and extending between certain of the intermediate sections 2 of each of the main conduits, as well as tubular members 29 between the last mentioned sections and the 'side walls of the hull. A tubular member 30 is likewise mounted between and secured to the three-way couplings I2. The tubular members are also preferably of oval shape in cross section, as best shown in Figure 2, and thesame is true with respect to the passageways of the coupling elements and the bodies of the valves. The ends of the sections, coupling elements and bodies of the valves, as well as other joined elements are each provided with. outwardly directed annular flanges, as clearly shown in Figure 1, and the companion flanges of adjacent couplings, valves and pipel members are bolted or otherwise detachably joined together; but the flanges of the conduit sections are preferably welded or otherwise per. manently fixed to the bulkheads which have openings therein registering with the bores of the sections, and the bulkheads about the openings are faced to match the flanges. By fixing the flanges of the conduit sections to the bulkheads, it will be obvious that the sections and bulkheads act to reinforce each other to provide a strong and sturdy structure which in tum materially reinforces the hull throughout thwlength and width thereof, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figure 1.

In order to pump water from the hold, it will be noted, as best shown in Figure 1 that the fourway coupling't has connected thereto a pipe 3| thatis controlled by a valve32, and while the couplingIS is in the compartment 33 the pipe 3| extends into the compartment 34, for remov-f ing water therefrom. However, the coupling I9 has an inlet 35 depending therefromv for removing water from the compartment 33, and` partment 31 and has pipes 38 and 39 connected thereto and extending respectively into compartl ments 40 and 4I to remove water therefrom, and

in order to remove water from the compartment 31 an inlet 42 is disposed on the underside of the coupling element 22 and controlled by -a valve 43. The pipes 38 and 39 are controlled by valves 44 and 45. 'I'he pipes 3I, 38 and 39 have their outer end portions downturned and disposed in close proximity to the bottom of the hull, and the inlets 35 and 42 are disposedaccordingly, as clearly shown in Figure 2, with the result it will be seen that in the event water should accumulate in the hull, from any source, or from a leakage therein, it can be pumped therefrom in a manner which will beY later described.

The apparatus alsoincludes debris traps in the form of grating members 46 that are preferably arranged in the pump'discharge sections 3'and the intermediate sections 2 inwardly of the fourway couplings 9, as best shown in Figure 1. The grating members are `arranged at an inclination and include parallel rods 41 that are preferably of triangular shape in cross section with the edges of the beveled walls thereof directed laterally, as best shown in Figure 6. It has 'been found that such arrangement tends to prevent the water from setting up a whirling or churning action when passing through the conduits, and secured to and bridging the parallel rods is a central connecting rod 48.

`rFrom the above description and disclosure in the drawings, it isbelieved that the operation will be obvious, but it might be mentioned that when itis desired to propelV .the vessel forwardly, the valves I5 to I8 inclusive are'open, and the remaining valves are closed, and of course the pumps are being driven in a direction to draw the water within the inlet sections I for passage the valves I5 and II are closed, kand the Valves I0 and I3 are open. The same action can be accomplished when the valves I6 and I8 arey closed, the valves II and I4 are open, and when the pumping element is driven in reverse. When it is desired to turn the vessel in a circle in the direction of the starboard side thereof, the valves I6 and IBV are closed, the valves II and I4 are open, and the pumping unit -is driven ahead. That action can likewise be accomplished by re- Vversing'the direction of the pumping unit, Vwith the Valves I5 and 'II closedA and the valves. I0 and I3 open. It will 'of course be understood that the valves 32, 36, 43, 44 and 45 are closed at all times unless it is desired to pump water from the hold, and in that event any one or all of the latter valves will be opened and the valvesl I5 and I6 will be closed, as well as the valves IIL II', I3 and I4, and the valves 20, 23 and 25 may be either open or closed, but the valves I1 and I8 Will of course be open to allow the water from the holdA to pass through the outlet sections.

Dile' to the high pumping capacity of my aplparatus, it will be seen that a vessel equipped therewith can suffer considerable damage or leakage below the water line and yet remain afloat, much longer than vessels now in general use, as the leakage can be equalized, by pumping the water from the hold as fast, as it runs therein.

By the use of the dual system or double set of elements above described, it Will be obvious that iin the event one set or any part or unit thereof should become damaged or inoperative, for example the pump or engine, or if a leak should occur in a conduit, that may render the same unsafe to use, the damaged set can be completely cut off from the operative set by the use of the valves 20, 23 and 25 and the operative set will furnish suicient power to propel the vessel.

It will be noted that the valves shown are of the gate type, but any other suitable type may be used in practice, and any suitable remote control means may be provided for operating the valves, from the engine room or other centralized place.

In the modified form of Figure 7, only a single longitudinal or main conduit is used, andthe r inlet section 49 is disposed centrally of the bow. A pair of outlet sections may be provided for the single conduit for communication therewith at its rear end and to open through the stern upon opposite sides of the rudder, so as not to interfere with the steering of the vessel. This form likewise includes lateral conduits both fore-andaft and opening through the port and starboard sides of the vessel, and of course it will be understood that suitable valves are provided for controlling the conduits of the form of Figure 7, so

that a vessel equipped with this form can be maneuvered in substantially the same manneras the preferred form. The form of Figure 7 will'fY of course include only one pumping unit and one 'o What I claim is: o f

71. In a hydraulic propelling apparatus for a water Vessel including bulkheads, water conveying means extending longitudinally of and within the hull `of the vessel and opening throughthe bow and stern, conveying means including a funnel shaped inlet section and voutlet sections;y intermediate sections connected to the inlet section, .discharge sections connected to theoutlet sections, lateral conduits connected to the intermediate and discharge sections Vrespectively and opening through thev port and starboard .sides of the hull adjacent the bow and stern, reversible pumping means betweenA certain oiftheginter mediatev and discharge sections for` forcing ,v vater;A through the conveying means and` said conduits;

valve means for controlling the passage of vwater through the conveying means and said conduits, said bulkheads havingopenings therein,v outwardly directed annular flanges formed on the ends of each of said sections and'iixed Vto the bulkheads about the openings, and bracing means secured to and bridging :said Water conveying meansland hull for reinforcing the same.

2, In a hydraulic vpropelling apparatus for a water vessel includingibulkheads, water conveying means extending longitudinally of and withink the hull of the vessel and opening through the bow and stern, conveying means including a funnel shaped inlet section and outletsections, intermediate sections connected to the inletvsec tion, discharge sections connected to the outlet sections, lateral conduits connected to the intermediate and discharge sections respectively and opening through the port and starboard sides of the hull adjacent the bow and stern, reversible pumping means between certain of the intermediate and discharge sections for forcing water through the conveyingmeans and saidV conduits, valve means for controlling the passage of water through the conveying means and said conduits, said bulkheads having openings therein, out-V wardly directed annular flanges formed on the ends of each of said sections and fixed to the bulkheads about the openings. bracing means secured to and' bridging lsaid water conveying means and hull IforV reinforcing the 1 same, and screeningmean's in certaimof theintermedia'te and. dischargesections'to prevent thejpassage of v sections connected to the outlet sections, lateral engine, and means may be provided in this form for pumping water from the hold `of the vessel. It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparenti It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims. l

conduits connected to the intermediate and discharge sections ofeach'main .conduit and opening through the port and starboard sides of theV .hull adjacent the bow and stern, reversible pumping jmeans for each. main conduit and arranged between certain of the intermediate and dis-v charge sections thereof for forcing Water through the main y conduits and said lateralA conduits, `valve means between the outermost intermediate sections and the outlet sections,y valve means between the outermost discharge sections and the outlet sections, valve means in the lateral conduits and together with the other valve means being adapted for controlling the passage of water through Vall the conduits, means betweenV the main conduits for disposing. the same in communication with each .other and valve means for controlling the communicating means.

4. In a hydraulic propelling apparatus fora water vessel, a pair of main conduits extending longitudinally of and within the hull of the vessel lupon opposite sides of the longitudinal center duits and being'arranged at intervals along the length thereof, and valvemeans for each communicating means.

5. ma hydraulic propelling apparatus fora water vessel, a pair of main conduits extending longitudinally of and within the rvhull of the vessel upon opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof,said conduits openingthrough the bow and stern, lateral conduits extending from each main conduit and openingthrough thevport and starboard'sides of the hull adjacent the bow and stern, reversible pumping means for each of the main conduits and being disposed'therein for forcing water therethrough and through said lateral conduits,'valve means for controlling the passage of water through each of the conduits, means of communication between the mainconduits and being arranged at intervals along ,the length thereof, valve means for each communicating means, means connected to certain of the communicating means and cooperating with the pumping means for removing water from the hull through any of the conduits, and valves for controlling the water removal means.

6. In a hydraulic propelling apparatus for a water vessel, a pair of mainconduits extending longitudinally. of and within the hull of the vessel upon opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, said conduits opening through the bow and stern, lateral conduits extending from each mainconduit vand opening through the port and starboard sides 'of the-hull adjacent the bow and stern, rreversible pumping means for each of the vmain conduits and being disposed therein for forcing Water through any of the conduits, valve means for controlling the passage of water through each' of the conduits and certain of the valve means being arranged'adjacent to the inlet and outlet ends of the main conduits, means of communication between the main conduits andbeing arranged at-intervalsalong the length thereof, valve means for each communicatingmeans for controlling the passage of ywater from one main conduit to the other, suction pipes connected to certain of lthe 'communicatingv means and paralleling the main conduits, said pipes having their inlet ends terminating in close proximity to the bottom of the hull and cooperating with the pumping means for removing water` from the hull through the conduits, and valves at the outlet ends of each pipe.

SAMUELA V. SHANNAHAN. 

